Bland and uninteresting safari sim
Another in the long line of Sim games from Maxis, SimSafari makes for an ideal introduction to the city building series for younger gamers, given its relative simplicity and educational overtones. This one is pretty much identical to SimPark, with the exception that it is set in Africa rather than the US, and requires players to construct and successfully manage a safari park. A variety of buildings and animals are available for budding environmentalists, but watch out for natural disasters that can wipe everything out in a heartbeat. While SimSafari could have been an interesting addition to the series, for most gamers this will be a fairly dull experience. Beyond placing animals and buildings, there is little else to the gameplay, with none of the complexity or options associated with similar games. The difficulty is also set very low so creating the ultimate park is extremely easy, reducing the game's longevity and appeal even further. The 2D graphics are simple and clean, but nothing spectacular, while the interface is straightforward and easy to pick up, aimed at younger audiences as the game is. Ultimately, SimSafari is little more than an amusing but short-lived diversion and quickly becomes tedious due to its lack of depth. While it should be applauded for its educational intent, it's just a shame it couldn't have been a bit more fun to play. Definitely one for younger gamers only.
